5 Anticipated Games (June / July 2025)

The weather might be heating up, but new game releases are showing no signs of slowing down. With Nintendo Switch 2 making its debut on June 5th, a slew of launch titles are coming along for the ride. But July is no slouch, offering some tantalizing new titles all its own. Curious what’s caught my eye? Let’s take a look.

5: Bravely Default Remaster

A long time rule that I’ve held when buying a new console is that it needs to have two games available before I will buy it. Mario Kart is a no-brainer, especially with the bundle. So, what would my other game be? Square Enix made this an easy decision by announcing Bravely Default Remaster, a new version of a game that originally released on the Nintendo 3DS in 2012 in Japan, and 2014 globally.

I recall being fond of the game’s cast but not fully clearing this adventure. I’m a big fan of picking up games I once owned on handheld devices when they debut for TV, and this remaster looks like it’ll have some extra enhancements to boot. I’ll need a game to balance against Mario Kart World, and I’m confident Bravely Default Remaster will do nicely.

4: Donkey Kong Bananza

I’ll admit I’m approaching this game with a lot of excitement, but also a pinch of caution. Traditionally, Donkey Kong games are harder than Mario games within the platforming hierarchy. That said, this game gives me some Terraria or Astroneer vibes with its focus on digging into the ground and finding goodies. Sure, there will be a bit more combat here than on those titles.

But the overall ‘dig down and grab goodies’ loop appeals to me. Odds are good that I’ll watch reviews, see whether there are accessibility options as there were in Super Mario Odyssey, and get Jay’s thoughts since he’s buying this at launch anyway. While I’d love to jump in head first, a $99.99 price tag before taxes here in Canada requires that I proceed with some common sense.

3: Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma

I’ve been a fan of the Rune Factory game for years; ever since Jay and I bought copies of Rune Factory: Tides of Destiny on a random trip to GameStop when he visited me in the summer many years ago. So of course I’m absolutely hyped for the latest in the series.

Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma grabs me even more by having datable deities, including an Oni character, on offer. The concept is quirky enough to be interesting, yet fits with the over-arcing themes of the series since it hasn’t been a stranger to having some odd ball choices available for romance in past entries.

The art style looks stunning, the combat looks solid, and having multiple villages to look after is either going to be a blessing or a curse. Only time will tell. I’m not sure if I’m going to be racing to get this on launch day, since my new Switch 2 will be arriving on the 9th with Mario Kart World, but I am looking forward to starting this sooner rather than later.

2: Mario Kart World

If I’m being honest, Nintendo is being a little trolly having a multiplayer game be the star of their new console’s launch cycle. It’s not a strange thing for consoles in general, but for Nintendo? It’s a shift in focus and I’m intrigued to see how it will pan out. Nintendo’s online isn’t necessarily their strong suit, and it’ll be interesting to find out whether this will pay off.

The observation aside, I’m definitely looking forward to playing this. While I’m not the most competitive gamer on earth, I can enjoy a good race and I enjoy a good roster of characters to choose from. While my Mario Kart 8 Deluxe staple, Ludwig Von Koopa, is not here, there are plenty of others who could be a suitable replacement. I’m particularly curious whether the Vampire Waluigi is a one off, or whether other characters will have monster / horror inspired costumes that can be unlocked as well.

Right now I’m leaning toward driving as Rosalina, and Jay wants to drive as the N64 Penguin, which he’s really excited to see as a playable option. But anything could happen once the game releases, especially if different characters come with different stats that impact how they handle when they are on a track. I’d love to know who you’re planning to drive as if you’re getting the game, so feel free to leave a comment.

1: No Sleep for Kaname Date

As a big fan of AI: The Somnium Files, of course I’m looking forward to this. And while Mario Kart World is excited as a console launch title, this is the game I most want to experience this summer. Jay and I love the characters in this series to the point that we’ve played the games twice.

This particular release is all the more appealing to me since it puts my favorite character in the series, Date, back into the role of the central protagonist. The connecting between him and Iris is always interesting in some way or another, so it will be fun to see what is happening this go around.

As a series builds up, and connections between characters and timelines becomes established, it can be much more tricky to add more to it. It will be interesting to see how the game will handle this given how intricately some things in this series have been handled in the past. That said, the writing here is generally excellent, so I am hopeful that the game will be up to the challenge of being a great new entry in its own right without toppling over anything that has come before like a delicate house of cards.

Summer 2025 seems to be loaded with a ton of great games just waiting to be played. It is a refreshing shift of pace from many summers past, where the gaming landscape would dry up like a desert as publishers assumed everyone was racing outside to find some sand or sun. Are you looking forward to anything over the next couple months? I’d love to know, so feel free to share your most anticipated releases and why in the comments below.